Process of treating crushed ore products.



No. 891,459. PATENTED JUNE 28, 1908.

W. A. OALDEGOTT.

PROCESS OF TREATING ORUSHED ORE. PRODUCTS.

APPLIOATION FILED JUNE 18. 1907.

3 SHEETSSHEET l.

5 I g I a 6 .5? 7 d"? .5 a, .26 5 5a f 50 a d W Th 5% 55 26 53 PATENTED JUNE 23, 1908.

W. A. GALDBGOTT. I PROCESS OF TREATING ORUSHED ORE PRODUCTS.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 18. 1907.

- 3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

PATENTED JUNE 23, 1908.

W. A. GALDEGOTT. PROCESS OF TREATING CRUSHED ORE PRODUCTS.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 18. 1907- 3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM ARTHUR CALDECOTT, OF JOHANNESBURG, TRANSVAAL.

PROGESS OF TREATING CRUSHED ORE PRODUCTS.

To all whom it may concern:

. Beit known that I, WILLIAM ARTHUR CALDEoo'rT, a subject of the King of Great Britain, and resident of Johannesburg, Transvaal, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in the Process of Treating Crushed Ore Products, of which the following is a specification.

This invention consists of improvements in the processes for treating crushed auriferous or argentiferous ore products by cyanid or other solvent solution, for the recovery of the precious metal contents.

One object of the-present invention is to reduce the time required under existing PI'OC'. esses or modes of treatment to recover the I precious metals, and a further object is to ing more dissolved oxygen than is usually found in working cyanid solutions. The increase of dissolved oxygen may be obtained by bringing the solution for a sufiicient length of time to allow the oxygen to dis solve, into contact with air or oxygen at such a pressure that the oxygen pressure is above that due to ordinary atmospheric pressure.

In carrying out the invention t e cyanid solution, aerated under air or oxygen pressure greater than that of the atmosphere, as described, (hereinafter referred to as the -super-aerated solution) is brought into contact with the sand and slime or sand or slime, or, any crushed auriferous or argentiferous ore product. The air pressure is preferably maintained after the super-aerated solution is in contact with the material, to prevent the escape of the dissolved oxygen in the solution, to counteract the effect of leakages or absorption of oxygen-by the pulp or crushed ore products, and also to be utilized as a means for transferring the pulp from one vessel to another on the montejus or air lift system. It will be apparent that in place of atmospheric air, (which, however, will ordinarily be found the most convenient) gaseous oxygen may be used, asthe object is to obtain more oxygen dissolved in the solution than would be possible under ordinary air pressures, and thus accelerate the dissolving of the gold. The super-aerated solution may Specification of Letters Patent.

[Application filed June 18, 1907. Serial No. 379,645.

Patented June 23, 1908-.

be allowed to dissolve the gold by contact merely with the solid matter, or the mixtiue of solution and solid matter may be agitated. The solution having dissolved the precious metal contents of the solid matter, the separation of the now gold-bearing solution for subsequent precipitation of the metal, may

be effected by means of a vacuum filter, filter press, or other suitable device; or by allowing the solids in the mixture to fall by gravity through one or more pipes or orifices into a lower closed vessel filled with Water or precipitated cyanid solution. If the separation of the gold-bearing solution be effected in the manner last described, then the excess of liquid remaining in the Washed solids can be drawn off through a filter in the lower vessel, the removal of the liquid being hastened, if desired, either by positive air pressure in the vessel or by creating a vacuum belowthe filtering medium. In the accompanying drawings I represent, more or lessdiagrammatically, apparatus designed for carrying out the improved process.

In the drawings: Figure 1 represents one form of the apparatus in elevation. Fig. 2 is a detail of the filter provided in the bottom of the vessel 7 Fig. 3 is a sectional elevation illustrating amodified form of the treatment vessel, and Fig. 4 is a sectional elevation of an alternative form of the apparatus.

Referring to the arrangement of the apparatus illustrated in connection with Figs. 1 and 2, 1 represents a vessel provided with tight fitting covers 2, 3, atboth ends. This vessel serves as a receiver for the solution.

4 is a pipe for introducing thesolution into the top of the vessel 1, and 5 a pipe communicating with the bottom of the vessel for conveying the super-aerated solution to the treatment vessel. The solution may be conveniently aerated in the vessel 1. The solution having been introduced into the vessel 'a compressed air or oxygen supply may be conducted into the vessel 1 through the pipe 15 communicating with the top of the yessel and the air or oxygen pressure be maintained so that the solution becomes super-aerated by or other suitable type into which the battery pulp or other mixture of solids and liquids is introduced. This classifier serves in the usual manner for separating from the solids,

the bulk of the water or other liquid. Ar

ranged beneath the classifier 6, is a closed vessel 7.

8 is a hopper located beneath the classifier for receiving the concentrated under-flow v located inside the vessel above the bottom cover 12. 13 is an annular groove formed between the block and cover 12. In the inclined internal walls of the block are formed grooves 14 which constitute drainage 'channels for the filtered liquid. These grooves 14 are laced in communication with the groove 13 y means of holes or passages 15 formed in the block. Over the grooves 14 is placed a suitable filtering medium such as wire netting 16 covered by filter cloth or other suitable material 17.

18 is a pipe fixed to the cover 12 and in communication withthe annular groove .13,

which pipe serves for conveying the liquid, separated by the filter, from the annular groove 13. The pipe 18 is fitted with a cook 18. If desired this pipe 18 may be placed incommunication with a vacuum chamber connected with water and air umps for drawing the 'li uid the more rapidly and completely fromt e vessel 7 to obtain the solids in a suitable condition for treatment with the superaerated solution.

19, 20, are two other closed vessels, the one arranged above the other and both arranged in a suitable position in relation to the vessel 7. These vessels 19, 20 are connected by means of the lpipe 21, which is fitted with the valve 22. T e vessel 7 is connected at the bottom with the top. of the vessel 19, by means of a pipe 23, which serves for conduct- 1 ing the material from vessel 7 to vessel 19.

I dotted lines.

The pipe 23 is provided with valves 24,25,

immediately beneath the vessel 7 and immediately above the vessel 19 respectively.

The solution supply pipe 5 from the vessel 1 communicates with vessel 7 beneath the filter cloth 17 The pipe 5 is fitted with two cocks 5. A branch pipe 5 from the pipe 5 connects with the pipe 21 between the valve 22 and the bottom vessel 20. The pipe 5 is fitted with the cock 5. v

The vessels 19, 20 are preferably made conical at the bottom as lndicated by the 5 is a'pipe fitted with cock-5, communilatter provided with a cock 26.

eating with the pipe 21 between the bottom of the vessel 19 and the valve 22 for drawing ofi the solution from the vessel 19.

5 is a pipe fitted with cock 5 communicating with thetop of the vessel 20 for introducing thereinto the precipitated solution or water.

25, 26 are two closed vessels, the one arranged above the other similar to the vessels 19, 20. These vessels 25, 26, like vessels 19, 20, are connected by means of the pipe 27 fitted withthe valve 28. The pipe 27 between the bottom of the vessel 25 and valve 28 is fitted with a pipe 27 provided with a cook 27", for drawing ofi gold bearing solution from vessel 25. The vessel 26 is fitted at the top with a pipe 28 provided with a cock 28 for introducing the precipitated. solution or water into vessel 26. The pipe 21 is shown connected above the valve 22 by branch pipe 29 with the pipe 27 above the valve 28; pipe 29 is fitted with valve 29. The lower vessel 20 is connected by means of pipe 30, with the top vessel 25 in like manner to the vessels 7 and 19. The pipe 30 is provided with valves 31, 32, below the vessel 20 and above the vessel 25.

The vessel 26 is provided with aremovablecover 26 fitted with a drain pipe 26", the

The pipe 26 may be coupled u with a vacuum chamher for drawing ofi t e surplus liquid from the solids pre aratory to the discharging of the latter. V essel 26 is provided in proximity to the bottom with a fiat filter 26 33 represents pipes which serve for conducting the compressed air or oxygen supply to the vessels 7, 19, 20, 25 and 26..

33 are cocks provided on the pipes 33 in suitable positions for controlling the compressed air or oxygen supply to any of the aforementioned vessels.

In the operation of this apparatus theconcentrated under-flow from the classifier 6 in delivered by hopper 8 through valve 9 into the vessel 7, until the vesse is full or aproximately full. Valve 9 is then closed. he excess of liquid is drained or drawn oil through the pipe 18and the cook 18*. This may be eliected or accelerated through the .medium of the connections of the pipe 18 with the vacuum chamber, or by admitting air or oxygen under pressure into the top of the vessel 7 abovethe surface of the charge, by means of compressed air or oxygen supply ipe 33 and cook 33*". The solution having been admittedto vessel 1 through pipe 4, the compressed air or oxygen supply is admitted to vessels 1 through pipe 15 and the pressure maintained. Compressed air or oxygen may be now admitted to the vessel 7 belowthe filter-cloth 17 by opening cook 33 on the pi e, 33 Subsequently the super-aerated so ution is admitted to the bottom of the vescocks j5 on the pipe 5, and by reducing the air pressure in the vessel 7 slightly below that in vessel 1, as for example by opening valve 9. Sufficient of the solutionto cover the charge having been admit-ted to the vessel 7 the supply is shut off by closing the cooks 5 m It is desirable, in order to insure a. thorough permeation of the mass or charge by the super-aerated solution or compressed air or oxygen, that said solution, air or oxygen be allowed to come into contact with the gold bearing material in vessel 7 slowly. or gradually from below: This prevents the solution, air or oxygensuddenly exerting its maximum pressure on the surface of the mass which would reduce the volume of the interstices and prevent the thorough permeation of the mass by said solution, air or oxygen. i

After the lapse of a sufficient length of time for the solution to dissolve the gold, the compressed air or oxygen supply is admitted to vessel 7 by opening cock 33 on pipe 33. The valves 24, 25" on the pipe 23 are now opened and the compressed air or oxygen acting on the surface of the charge effects its transfer from vessel 7 to vessel 19. The valves 24, 25 are then closed. The vessel 20 is filled with precipitated solution or water through pipe 5 and cock 5 or with a the super-aerated solution by opening the cock 5 on the branch pipe 5". The valve 22 in the pipe 21 is then opened. The solids from the upper vessel 19, then fall by gravity down pipe21 into the lower vessel 20, and gradually displace the solution, which rises up the, pipe 21 into the top vessel 19. The particles of the solids are washed by the uprising current which carries the gold bearing solution washed off the particles into the upper vessel 19. Ultimately the whole of the solids are contained in the lower vessel 20' and the bulk of the gold in solution in the upper vessel 19. The valve 22 on the pipe 21 is then closed and the gold bearing solution removed from the vessel 19, through the pipe 5 and cock 5", if necessary filtered, and then passed on to the precipitation boxes to recover the metal contents. If desired vessel 20 might be provided at the bottom with a filter and drain pipe similar to vessel 7 so that if necessary the bulk of the solution received in the lower vessel 26 and the bulk of the solution, transferred with the charge from vessel 20 to vessel 25, remains in the latter. The valve28 is then closed, the solution withdravm through pipe 27* and cock 27 from the vessel 25 for precipitation, if

necessary. The surplus liquid is now drained from the solids in the vessel 26 through the filter 26 by means of pipe 26 and cock 26, and the residues ultimately discharged from the said lower vessel 26 for conveyance to the dump. The withdrawal of the surplus liquid may be accelerated by the admission to the vessel 26 of the compressed air or oxygen supply through pipe 33 and cock 33 The compressed air supply may be admitted to the vessel 25 after the charge has been transferred to it from vessel 20.

It will be obvious that the super-aerated solution may, if preferred, be withdrawn from the vessel 7 through pipe 18 and cook 18, and a quantity of precipitated solution or water be subsequent-lyintroduced into the vessel 7 to be transferred with the solids from the vessel 7 to the vessel 19.

If found desirable to still further agitate the mixture it may be transferred for one or more times from vessel 19 to vessel 25 by opening valve 29 on pipe 29 and closing valves 22, 25, 28 and 32 and admitting the compressed air or oxygen supply to vessel 19 or vessel 25 to transfer the charge to the other of them. y

In Fig. 3 I illustrate a modified form of the washing vessels. of super-positioned vessels 19, 20 and 25, 26,

connected by the pipes 21, 27, respectively,

shown in Fig. 1, I provide one or more single vessels 34 which maybe of cylindrical or other suitable configuration. The vessel 34 is divided into two intercommunicating compartments or chambers by means of a horizontally disposed perforated diaphragm or division plate 35. i The capacity of the upper compartment 34 is somewhat larger than that of the lower compartment 34*. In the bottom of the vessel is arranged a filter com-4 prising the filter cloth 36 or other suitable material placed above the parallel bars or laths 37 which latter rest upon another series of parallel bars or laths 38 arranged at right angles thereto. The passages formed between the laths provide the channels through which the liquid may be'drained or drawn In place of the two pairs off, (after passing through the filterclo th 36) from the solids after they have been depos allow the super-nata'nt solution to be drawn off at different levels. 43 is the pipe, fitted with cock 43 for introducing the solution- 39 is the drain into the compartment 34*.

. pipe which may be connected with a vacuum chamber as previously described and serves for removing the excess of liquid from the solids after they are deposited in the lower compartment 34". 44 1s a discharge door provided in the bottom of the vessel 34 through which the residues may be discharged from compartment 34*. If the vessel 34 were closed after introduction of the moist solids into the upper compartment 34, and super-aerated solution introduced into the lower compartment 34* until its level were slightly above that of the diaphragm, the

solids would then fall gradually through the ,perforations in the diaphragm into the aerated solution so that efficient contact would.be secured of the solution with each particle, and the dissolving of the gold 35 effected.

In Fig. 4, I illustrate an alternative ar rangement of the apparatus for carrying out the process. In this arrangement the spitzkasten or conical classifier is represented at 40 46 is a pipe for conveying the pulp to the classifier, 47 an annular launder surrounding the upper edge of the classifier and serving to receive the overflow therefrom, and 48 a discharge spout delivering said over- 45 flow into a launder 49 along which it may be conducted to any desired point. For the urpose of removing the excess of li uid om the concentrated underflow be ore treating it with thes'uperaerated solution, I

' 50 employ a rotary vacuum filter 50. v The construction and mode of operating this filtering device is fully described in a prior application for patent filed by. me on the 18th day 9f March 1907, under Serial No. 363,072.

It consists of a rotatable hollow shaft 51, carrying through the medium of arms 52, a structure provi a horizontall disposed annular vacuum c amber 52. he chamber 52 which is covered by the filtering medium 53 is placed in communication with the interior .of the hollow shaft 51 by a suitable number of pipes 54. 55 is any suitable support for shaft 51. The underflow from the classifier 47 is distributed over the width of tively. 4 move from the surface of the filtering medium the filtering medium 53 bya conical s reader or inclined tray 56. Apipe 57 placest einterior of the shaft 51 in communication with a vacuum chamber 58, connected through pipe 59 with an air pump (not shown) and through pipe 60 with a water pump-also not shown. 61 and 62 are two cyhndrical or other suitably shaped vessels located'in juxtaposition to each other and to the rotary vacuum filter 50. These vessels 61, 62 are, like the vessels 7, 19 and 20, 25, connected by means of pipe 63, fitted with valves 64, 65. On the top of the vessel 61- is provided. a hopper 66 which receives. the

moist solid matter removed from the surface of the filtering medium 53 by-means of a scraper or plow 67. Between the hopper 66 an interior of the vessel 61 is interposed a valve 68. In a convenient position in relation to the vessel 61 is arranged the vessel 69 which is utilized as the container for the super-aerated solution. -70 is the pipe for introducing the solution into the vessel 69, and 71 the pipe for introducin the airvor oxygen under pressure. -72 is t e pipe, fitted with cook 73, for conveying the superaerated solution from vessel 69 to vessel 61.

74 is the ipe, fitted with cock 75, for leading into t e top of vessel 61, the compressed air or oxygen supply. 76 is another (pipe'em' tering the top of vessel 61, and fitte with a rose 77 inside the vessel, for introducing into the vessel precipitated solution or water to flush out the vessel or for any other purpose. The other vessel 62 is also'equipped with pipe 78 and cock 79 .for the com ressed air, or oxygen supply, and pipe 80 an rose 81 for the precipitated solution or water supply. Another rotary vacuum filter 82, whic as shown, may be of the same construction as the filter-50, is arranged contiguous to the discharge outlet in the bottom of the vessel 62. The outlet of the vessel is shown fitted with a valve 83, and s reader 84.for distributing the mixture near y the full width of the filtering medium of the filter 82. This filter, like filter 50, works conjunctively with a vacuum chamber 85, connected with air: and water pumps, by pipes 86, 87 respectivel A further rotary vacuum filter 88, wliic may also be of the same construction as filter 50, is located adjacent to the filter. 82. This filter 88 is also. 0 eratively connected with a vacuum chamber 89, in' communication, through the medium of pipes 90, -91 with airand ,water pumps respec- A scraper or plow 92 operates to reof filter 82, the solid matter anddeliver it into a chute 93 which conducts it onto the filteringmediumofthefilterSS. 94is api eterminat- .125 ingjn a perforatedhorizontal tu ular momber 95, which delivers a quantity of precip itated solution or water over the solid matter;

deposited onto the surface of the "filtering medium of the filter 88, to serve as a final wash therefor. 96 is another scraper or plow for removing the residual washed solid matter from the surface of the filtering mate rial of filter 88, and conducting it to a chute 96 which delivers it into a belt conveyer 97 or other suitable means for conveying it to the dump.

In the operation of this apparatus the bulk of the Water is first separated from the pulpin the classifier 45, and the excess of water remaining in the underflow is subsequently separated by the rotary vacuum filter 50. The matter is thereafter received in the treatment vessel 61, and after a full charge has entered it. the valve 68 is then closed. Compressed air is now slowly admitted through pipe 74: and cock 7 5, and cock 75 then-closed. The super-aerated solution is now slowly admitted .to vessel 61 through cock 73, in sufficient quantity to cover the charge, and the cock 73 then closed. After the lapse of sufficient time for the solution to have dissolved a por tion of the gold, the valves 64, 65 'on the pipe 63 are opened, and further compressed air or oxygen admitted to the vessel 61, by opening cook 75 on pipe 7 4. The charge is thereupon transferred from vessel 61 through pipe 63 to vessel62. The valves 64, 65 are now closed, and after the lapse of sufficient time for the solution to have dissolved the remainder of the gold the valve 83, in the outlet of ve'ssel 62 is opened, which allows the charge to flowfrom vessel 62 on to the surfacelof the filtering medium of filter 82. The discharging of the charge from vessel 62 may be accelerated by admitting the compressed air or oxygen to the vessel above the charge through pipe 78 and cock 79; If desired the precipitated solution or water may be subsequently A admit-ted to vessels 61, 62, through pipes 76,

80 and roses 7 7; 81, to flush the vessels before admitting a fresh charge. The now gold bearing solution is separated from the solids by the vacuum filter 82 and its connections, and conveyed to the precipitation boxes to recover the metal contents. The solids are now received on the filtering medium of the filter 88 and the wash of precipitated solution or water delivered as a spray through pipe 94 and drawn through the layer of solids by the action of said vacuum filter 88. The solution washed out of the solids by the spray and separated by the filter 88 may beiconveyed to the precipitation boxes to extract the metal contents, or be reused in the process. Finally the residue is removed by scraper 96 from the surface of the filtering medium and delivered onto the belt conveyer 97 for transference to the residue dump.

It will be apparent that the vessels 61, .62 might be fitted with filters and drain pipes 18 and the super-aerated solution and compressed air or oxygen be admitted beneath the filtering medium, as has been previously described in connection with vessel 7 in 1 and 2.

What I claim as my invention and desire to protect by Letters Patent is: 1. The process of treating crushed auriferous ore roducts which consists in treating said products with a super-aerated solvent solution under a maintained pressure greater than atmospheric pressure, and then agitatingthe mixture of ore products and 'solution by and under such pressure, as set forth.

2. The process of treating crushed auriferous ore roducts which consists in treating said products with a super-aerated solvent solution under a maintained pressure greater than atmospheric pressure, and then agitating the mixture of ore products and solution by transferring it under pressure from vessel to vessel, as set forth.

3. The process of treating crushed auriferous ore products consisting in separating the excess of liquid from the plulp, then treatin the separated solids wi a super-aerate solvent solution under a maintained ressure' greater than that of the atmosp ere, then agitating the mixtureby transferring cipitated solution orwater in a closed vessel,

then transferring the mixture from the closed vessel to a further vessel and then separating the gold bearing solution from the solids, as set forth.

5'. The process of treating crushed auriferous ore products which consists in separating the bulk of liquid from the ulp then separating the remaining excess of quid, then treating the separated solids in a closed vessel it under pressure from one vessel to another, 1

with a super-aerated solvent solution under a maintained "pressure, then separating the solution from the solids, then filtering the solids to remove the remaining solution then treating the solids with preci itated solution or water and finally se aratmg the solution or water from the soli s, as set forth.

6. The process of treating crushed aurifer-.

ous ore products consisting in separating the liquid from the pulp then treating the solids in a closed vess 'W1f/l1 super-aerated solvent;

solution under a maintained pressure'then agitating the charge by admitting air or oxy- Witness whereof I have hereunto set my gen under pressure so as to transfer the char? hand in the presence of two subscribing witto another vessel, then separating the %p d nesses. bearing solution then washing the so 'ds WILLIAM ARTHUR CALDECOTT.

5 with precipitated solution or water and then Witnesses: I

removing said solution or Water, from the CHAS. OVENDALE, solids, as set forth. FRED. OV'ENDALE. 

